DS9 (Yes, NINE! He had a birthday on Friday!) is an extremely hands-on learner, who loves to build things. Legos, models, puzzles....you name it, he builds it. He wants to be an engineer, which I think will probably be a good fit for him. Problem is, I can't keep him in stuff to build! I got him a k'nex roller coaster set. He put it together in a couple of hours, decided that he'd had enough, and used the pieces to build a launch tower for his lego space shuttle. He puts the 14 and up lego sets together in no time at all. I bought him a set of model rockets (Mercury through Apollo program) for his birthday, and he has all of them almost done already. He builds and launches rockets - which he enjoys, but again, it seems like it takes no time to do it, and before we know it he's bored again. Does anyone have any ideas for projects he can work on (either things I can buy him, or do-it-yourself type things) that will be both challenging and interesting to him.....and take him long enough so he's not done with it by the time I get the wrappings in the trash can?

http://schoolsuccesssolutions.com/2012/07/25/rhode-island-mini-maker-faire-august-11-2012/

Sounds like the junkyard might be your new favorite place....then Radio Shack.

Enjoy!
Grinity

Have you considered a glider? If he has good fine motor coordination, these can be a nice step up from Legos and rocket kits. My now engineering college student built his first remote controlled glider when he was ten and just kept building harder ones. Some are fairly straight forward kits- others require completely manual wiring for every part of the glider and the remote controller, so there is a kit that should match just about every skill level. Here is a good website that describes the different types:

http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/models.htm

My builder-boy is 10, so I've been through this. It's so hard to stay a step ahead of him. Do you know about Make magazine? It always has fun things to build.

I assume has has a Lego Mindstorm? If not, that is a level up in complexity from Legos.

What about Mousebots? And other robot-things that must be soldered together?

My builder-boy also likes RC cars-- he's into the high-end ones because he can exchange parts and make them better.

I love these ideas! Thank you so much!

Magnatiles. We have bought many sets over the years and they have grown with our boys, now 6 and 8. I think they like them so much because they can experiment with complex geometric shapes by building from the basic triangles and squares. They can be built large enough to house Star Wars ships during imaginative play. I've even seen them build a maze system for a little lizzard they caught outside.

It's such a simple, basic building toy but the geometry and size seem to keep them endlessly occupied. They are a little younger- however it's the only building toy they both play with every week for 4+ years. The structures are also just delicate enough to hone fine motor skills but sturdy enough to avoid major collaspes (though they happen.)

Check pinterest for inspiration. Duck tape, paint, and large appliance boxes you can get for free from the local appliance store have remarkable possibilities!

If you have the space, funds, and inclination, you could build a custom vehicle, computer, piece of furniture, etc. together. I think the key is exposure to increasingly realistic and intricate projects that have real-world application. Sounds like lots of fun!